Uterine haemodynamics in young and aged pregnant mares measured using Doppler ultrasonography

Reason for performing study: Aged mares with endometrosis suffer higher rates of pregnancy loss than young mares, due to poor placental development. Reduced uterine blood supply may be one contributory factor. Objectives: To measure uterine artery (UA) blood flow and other Doppler indices throughout...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Equine veterinary journal 2012-02, Vol.44 (s41), p.15-21
Main Authors: OUSEY, J. C, KÖLLING, M, NEWTON, R, WRIGHT, M, ALLEN, W. R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biopsy
blood
blood flow
Doppler ultrasound
endometrium
fetal and placental growth
fetal development
foals
growth and development
horse
mare age
mares
microvilli
Miscarriage
morphometry
Pregnancy
pregnancy rate
regression analysis
resistance index
Thoroughbred
ultrasonics
ultrasonography
uterine blood flow
Women
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Summary:Reason for performing study: Aged mares with endometrosis suffer higher rates of pregnancy loss than young mares, due to poor placental development. Reduced uterine blood supply may be one contributory factor. Objectives: To measure uterine artery (UA) blood flow and other Doppler indices throughout pregnancy and compare placental and foal development in young mares and aged mares. Methods: Thoroughbred mares were grouped according to age and endometrial biopsy score: 1) 6 young mares (mean age 7.3 years, Category I); 2) 6 aged mares (mean age 18.3 years, Category II). Vascular pathology was nil or mild except in one aged mare with moderate perivasculitis. Both UA were scanned fortnightly throughout pregnancy. Total blood flow volume (BFV, ml/min/kg bwt), peak systolic velocity (PSV, cm/s) and resistance index (RI) were determined by pulsed wave, Doppler ultrasound and UA diameter using B‐mode. Mixed‐effects regression analyses were used to relate vascular parameters with different predictive variables, whilst accounting for the multiple repeated measurements taken from individual horses through the duration of their pregnancies. Results: PSV, RI and total BFV were best predicted by stage of pregnancy (P78%). The UA diameter was also associated with stage of pregnancy (P
ISSN:0425-1644
2042-3306
DOI:10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00446.x